Athina Hansen
Content Writer at Gradehacker
Updated January 31, 2022
Whether you’re about to begin your career as a nurse or are already pursuing your nursing degree, you’re here because you’re on the lookout for the best scholarships for nursing students!
This will blow your mind – in the U.S., around 45 million borrowers collectively owe approximately $1.6 trillion in student loan debt. Clearly, college tuition is no joke, and that’s why you’re here!
You know how much of a difference a scholarship can make in alleviating college costs. However, you don’t know where to begin looking for scholarships for nursing students.
The thought of how great a simplified list of scholarships for nursing students would be crosses your mind. You know that you could use such a list to quickly get an idea of different scholarships you can access as a nursing student.
Gradehacker is a company that continues to dominate the college-oriented space. We focus on the overlooked, non-traditional student, assisting them throughout their college journey.
We have years of experience helping nursing students, and at this time, many have asked us for information regarding scholarships they can access.
You don’t have to wish that a list for scholarships for nursing students existed. That list is right here!
In this article, we give you a focused list of scholarships that are specific to nursing students. Here, you will be able to find one or more scholarships that you can apply to and that will fit your unique context and background.
General Nursing Scholarships
Who is This Nursing Scholarship Meant For?: First things first, let’s cover who this scholarship is meant for. Depending on whether you fit the scholarship’s target, you can either continue reading or skip ahead in the list!
The Jane Delano Student Nurse Scholarship is meant for nursing students (undergraduate and graduate) who were/are involved with an American Red Cross Unit.
You may be thinking, what do you mean by involved? Well, this means those who have worked for or offered volunteer services to an American Red Cross Unit.
Deadline: May
Application Requirements: If you choose to apply to this nursing scholarship, you must:
- Have good academic standing in a U.S. nursing program
- Have finished 1 year of college credits
- Have been a Red Cross volunteer or employee once in the previous 5 years
Amount: A limited amount of $3000 scholarships are granted. These scholarship funds are only to be used for tuition, books, and academic fees.
Who is This Nursing Scholarship Meant For?: So, who is this nursing scholarship meant for? The Coursey Enterprises Student Scholarships are designed for first-year nursing students in an R.N. or L.P.N. program.
Deadline: Spring scholarship: September 1 – December 1
Fall scholarship: February 1 – May 1
Application Requirements: If you want to apply for this nursing scholarship, keep in mind that you have to be a U.S. citizen!
Amount: Coursey Enterprises awards one $250 scholarship in the fall semester and spring semester, respectively.
Who is This Nursing Scholarship Meant For?: For starters, the General Scholarship awarded by the FNSNA is an undergraduate scholarship.
Therefore, this scholarship is available to those enrolled in a state-approved:
- Associate degree program
- Baccalaureate program
- Diploma program
- Direct-entry master’s degree program
- R.N. to BSN/MSN program
- LPN/LVN to RN program
Unfortunately, if you’re a graduate student, you will not be eligible for this scholarship.
Deadline: February 15
Application Requirements: If you’re interested in applying, you should keep in mind that this scholarship generally points to having a specific area of nursing specialization.
Some other requirements to apply for this nursing scholarship include:
- Being a U.S. citizen or an alien with U.S. permanent resident status/alien registration number
- Be participative in student nursing organizations or community health activities
- Demonstrate academic feats and your financial need
Amount: This scholarship grants up to $7,500 per academic year. This amount is sent to the recipient’s school and must be used to fund tuition, academic costs, and books. Unused funds are to be returned to FNSNA at the end of the year.
Scholarships for Adult Students
Who is This Nursing Scholarship Meant For?: Are you a non-traditional student? Maybe you’re balancing your studies with family or work responsibilities. Or, maybe, you entered college at a later stage in life because you joined the military first.
If you can relate to any of the above stories, this scholarship is for you!
The Barbara Rhomberg Nursing Scholarship exists to help out non-traditional (full-time) students pursuing an undergraduate nursing degree.
Deadline: April, visit the page for more information.
Application Requirements: If you yearn to apply for this nursing scholarship, as with any scholarship, there are certain requirements you must fulfill!
For the Barbara Rhomberg Nursing Scholarship, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate nursing program (either an associate or bachelor’s program)
- Be a non-traditional student (have at least a 3-year gap from your high school graduation and your enrollment in college)
Amount: One-time fund of $1000, which is paid directly to the beneficiary’s college.
Scholarships for Women
Who is This Nursing Scholarship Meant For?: Are you a female who is currently pursuing a nursing degree? If so, this is a potential scholarship you can apply to!
This nursing scholarship is open to female students in their first or second year of a nursing program.
Deadline: May
Application Requirements: If you meet the scholarship’s target and are interested in applying for this scholarship, you must meet their minimum G.P.A. of 3.0. This scholarship also requires that at least 3 qualified applicants apply for it to be granted.
Amount: Each year, the national scholarships awarded meet the range of $5,000-$10,000.
Scholarships for Veterans
Who is This Nursing Scholarship Meant For?: Are you serving, or have you served in the U.S. army? Or, do you have a spouse, parents, or children who have served?
If you answered yes to those questions, then this scholarship should peak your interest!
This ANCA scholarship is meant for nursing students in an accredited baccalaureate, advanced nursing, or nurse anesthesia program who have experience serving for any branch of the U.S. army.
However, even if you personally did not serve, you may still be able to apply for this scholarship. This scholarship also awards nursing students whose spouses, parents, or children have served in the U.S. army.
Deadline: March 31
Application Requirements:
To apply for this nursing scholarship, you must match the following requirements:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Not be currently receiving financial assistance from the U.S. Army (ex: ROTC scholarship, GI Bill benefits)
- Have received an honorable discharge
Amount: One-time payment of $3,000
Scholarships for Minorities
Who is This Nursing Scholarship Meant For?: This scholarship is meant for American Indian students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate nursing degree in an accredited program.
To qualify for this program, you have to be at least a quarter American Indian. Also, you have to be enlisted in a tribe or instead be able to prove your direct tribal ancestry.
Deadline: December 1 for the spring scholarship, June 1 for the fall scholarship
Application Requirements: Okay, so you want to apply, let’s cover the criteria you must meet:
- Have good academic standing
- If you’re a bachelor’s student, be in a 4-year program
- If you’re an associate student, be in a 2-year program
- Demonstrate your financial need
- Have the objective of pursuing your career to help Native American people
- Not be a recipient of an Indian Health Service Scholarship
Amount: This scholarship awards $1,500 per semester. Students can reapply for funds each semester if they maintain good academic standing. These funds are sent to the beneficiary’s college and must be used on tuition, books, and program fees.
Who is This Nursing Scholarship Meant For?: NBNA is an organization that focuses on supporting African American women involved in the nursing profession.
This nursing scholarship is created for both undergraduate and graduate nursing students who are also NBNA members.
Deadline: April 15
Application Requirements: If you wish to apply for this nursing scholarship, you must:
- Be a member of NBNA
- Be in good scholastic standing when applying
- Be enrolled in a nursing program (B.S.N., A.D., Diploma or L.P.N./ L.V.N. Masters, and Doctoral)
- Have at least one full year of school remaining
Amount: Scholarship amounts range from $1,000 – $5,000
There are Nursing Scholarships Out There For You!
Your life-long goal is to become a nurse! And a scholarship can push you closer to actually achieving that goal.
As this list demonstrates, no matter what type of nursing student you are, you have many scholarships to choose from!
No matter your unique context and background, there is a scholarship out there for you; all you have to do is look for it!
A scholarship obviously won’t solve all your college-related financial problems. However, it will make a significant impact by alleviating your college costs. So, if you can, take advantage of a nursing scholarship!
We understand how hard it is to financially manage going to college. We hope that you were able to find at least one scholarship that is valuable to your situation and context in this list.
Are you a non-traditional student and would like to learn more about if you can access financial aid? Check out our article on Can Non-Traditional Students Get Financial Aid?
Are you wondering about the possible impact nursing school accreditation could have on your financial aid opportunities? Be sure to read our article Nursing School Accreditation – Why it Matters.
Are you a bit unclear on FAFSA? Check out our article on Everything You Should Know About Financial Aid (FAFSA)
Want to learn more about how you can improve your college finances? Check out our article on 6 Essential Tips to Improve your College Finances.
Athina Hansen
Athina has worked with Gradehacker both as a content writer and a study consultant, where she assisted college students with nursing courses. Athina has a background of educating others and producing content, having tutored college students and produced articles for her school magazine. She brings her experience to her current role, where she writes content to empower and assist the non-traditional college student who is often overlooked. You can find her on LinkedIn
